Aashirvad Cinemas

Aashirvad Cinemas
Company typePrivately held company
IndustryMotion picture
Founded2000
Headquarters
Kochi
,
India
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsFilms
OwnerAntony Perumbavoor
SubsidiariesMaxlab Cinemas and Entertainments
Websitewww.aashirvadcinemas.in

Aashirvad Cinemas is an Indian film production company based in Kochi, Kerala. It was established in 2000 by Antony Perumbavoor, since then, it has produced over 30 Malayalam films, starring Mohanlal.[1] Since 2009, the company co-operates with the distribution company Maxlab Cinemas and Entertainments co-founded by Mohanlal and Antony Perumbavoor for distributing films. It is one among the most active and leading production houses in the Malayalam film industry.

Aashirvad Cinemas has established itself by producing several hits such as Narasimham (2000), Ravanaprabhu (2001), Naran (2005),Rasathanthram (2006), Drishyam (2013), Oppam (2016), Lucifer (2019) and Neru (2023).[2] It has also produced three of the most expensive Malayalam films — Odiyan (2018), Lucifer (2019), and Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham (2020) with Marakkar not being profitable ventures for the production house.

Aashirvad Cinemas has won several awards, including two National Film Awards, four Kerala State Film Awards and a Filmfare Awards South. In 2019, Aashirvad Cinemas opened office in Hong Kong with the name Feitian Aashirvad Cinemas and signed an agreement with a Chinese film production company to co-produce and distribute films in China. Aashirvad Cinemas is the currently the biggest production company in Mollywood. It has made big budget films like Odiyan (₹30 crore), Lucifer (₹35 crore) and Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham (₹100 crore).

History

Aashirvad Cinemas was founded by Mohanlal's former chauffeur Antony Perumbavoor in 2000. Its first production was the 2000 film, Narasimham. The company's next was the 2001 action drama film, Raavanaprabhu, which was a sequel to the 1993 film, Devasuram. The film won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value[citation needed]. Over the years, Aashrivad Cinemas have continued to receive great reception and success for their films and continue making new records.

The action drama Natturajavu was the only release in 2004. It released coinciding with the festival of Onam and was the winner among the Onam releases.[3] Joshiy-directed action drama Naran was the only release in 2005, which was the winner among the Onam releases of the year.[4] In the following year, Sathyan Anthikkad-directed family drama Rasathanthram became a commercial success.[2] Two films released in 2009, action film Sagar Alias Jackie Reloaded directed by Amal Neerad, a spiritual successor to Mohanlal's 1987 film Irupatham Noottandu. It had a good opening which did not sustain in the following weeks.[5]

The 2011 comedy film China Town made ₹15.2 crore at the box office and was a major commercial success.[6][7] The 2012 drama Spirit won the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues[citation needed]. In 2013, family-thriller Drishyam received widespread critical acclaim and became the highest-grossing Malayalam and industry hit film and the first to gross over ₹50 crore mark at the box office. The 2016 crime thriller Oppam also became one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time by grossing ₹65 crore worldwide.

Mohanlal and Lal Jose collaborated for the first time in Velipadinte Pusthakam in 2017, which was a moderate success.[8] In 2019, Prithviraj Sukumaran-directed action drama Lucifer grossed ₹200 crore worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam film till date, beating Mohanlal's Pulimurugan. It was also the first Malayalam film to gross over ₹50 crores in overseas markets. It was followed by the comedy-drama Ittymaani: Made in China directed by debutant duo Jibi-Joju. During the pandemic, Aashirvad Cinemas produced the sequel to Drishyam, Drishyam 2, which was the first film in Mohanlal's career to premiere on an OTT platform Amazon Prime Video instead of the normal theatrical release. The film received widespread positive reviews. Then the company produced Telugu film titled Drushyam 2 (co-produced by Suresh Productions and RajKumar Theatres), which was a remake of Drishyam 2 also premiered on OTT platform Amazon Prime Video instead of the theatrical release. The company produced Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham (co-produced by Moonshot Entertainments and Confident Group), an action period film directed by Priyadarshan based on the life of Kunjali Marakkar. It is the most expensive Malayalam film ever, with a budget of ₹100 crores. The film released on 2 December 2021. In 2022, the company produced three films, out of which two films, Bro Daddy directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran and 12th Man directed by Jeethu Joseph had Direct OTT release on Disney+ Hotstar. Both films received generally positive reviews. Then they produced Monster directed by Vysakh and the film was Mohanlal's second collaboration with Vysakh (as director) after Pulimurugan. In 2023, the company produced Alone directed by Shaji Kailas. The film received mixed to positive reviews but was a Box-office failure mainly because the film was originally filmed for OTT.[9] In the same year, the company produced the court room drama film Neru directed by Jeethu Joseph and received highly positive response and became one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time by grossing ₹100 crore worldwide.[10][11][12]

Aashirvad Cinemas' next project is Mohanlal's debut directorial Barroz: Guardian of D'Gama's Treasure, which completed shooting and pre-production works. The film is expected to be released in 2024. The project they will be doing afterwards will be the sequel to the 2019 film Lucifer called L2:Empuraan. The film will be co-producing by Lyca Productions.

Filmography

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
Title Year Director Budget Worldwide gross Other notes
Narasimham 2000 Shaji Kailas The film was a major commercial success at the box office, becoming the first Malayalam film to gross 20 crores in the box office.[13] The film is also noted for being Jagathy Sreekumar's 1000th film.[14]
Ravanaprabhu 2001 Ranjith The film is noted director Ranjith's directorial debut. The film is a sequel to the 1993 film Devaasuram. The film emerged a commercial success becoming the top grossing Malayalam film of the year.
Kilichundan Mampazham 2003 Priyadarshan
Natturajavu 2004 Shaji Kailas ₹1.75 crore (US$200,000)[3] The film was a commercial success at the box office. It was the winner among the Onam releases that year.[3]
Naran 2005 Joshiy ₹2.55 crore (US$300,000)[4] The film was a commercial success at the box office. It was the winner among the Onam releases that year.[4]
Rasathanthram 2006 Sathyan Anthikkad The film was a commercial success at the box office. It was the winner among the Vishu releases that year.[2] Mohanlal and Sathyan Anthikkad collaborate after 12 years gap since Pingami.
Baba Kalyani 2006 Shaji Kailas
Ali Bhai 2007 Shaji Kailas
Paradesi 2007 P. T. Kunju Muhammed Mohanlal got Kerala State Film Awards For Best Actor
Innathe Chintha Vishayam 2008 Sathyan Anthikkad
Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded 2009 Amal Neerad Sequel to Irupatham Noottandu
Evidam Swargamanu 2009 Rosshan Andrrews Won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value.[15]
China Town 2011 Rafi Mecartin Multi-star film with Mohanlal, Dileep and Jayaram in lead roles. The film was a blockbuster. It was one of the highest-grossing films of the year.[6][7]
Snehaveedu 2011 Sathyan Anthikkad The film was Mohanlal's 300th movie
Casanovva 2012 Roshan Andrews Associate production with Confident Group
Spirit 2012 Ranjith
Ladies and Gentleman 2013 Siddique ₹10 crore (US$1.2 million)[16] Associate production with Confident Group
Drishyam 2013 Jeethu Joseph ₹3.5 crore (US$410,000) - ₹5 crore (US$590,000)[a] ₹75 crore (US$8.8 million)[20] Became Industry hit by breaking collections of previous IH Twenty-20 and became Highest-grossing Malayalam film at the time of release. It was also the highest-grossing Malayalam film of the year

Remade into 7 Languages: Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, Sinhalese, Chinese & Indonesian becoming the fourth Malayalam film to be remade into 6 languages after Poovinu Puthiya Poonthennal, Kireedam and Shutter.

The first Indian film to be remade in Chinese and Indonesian.

Ennum Eppozhum 2015 Sathyan Anthikad
Loham 2015 Ranjith
Oppam 2016 Priyadarshan ₹7 crore (US$820,000)[21] ₹65 crore (US$7.6 million)[22] The film was the second highest-grossing Malayalam film of the year after Pulimurugan
Velipadinte Pusthakam 2017 Lal Jose ₹15 crore (US$1.8 million) - ₹20 crore (US$2.3 million)[23] The film is Mohanlal's first collaboration with Lal Jose. The film was a commercial success.
Aadhi 2018 Jeethu Joseph ₹50 crore (US$5.9 million)[24] One of the highest-grossing Malayalam film of the year. Pranav Mohanlal's debut as an adult lead actor. Mohanlal did a cameo role. The film was a commercial success. This is the only Aashirvad cinema production that does not feature Mohanlal in the lead role.
Odiyan 2018 V. A. Shrikumar Menon ₹35 crore (US$4.1 million)[25] The film is V. A. Shrikumar Menon's directorial debut. Mohanlal and Prakash Raj acted together in Odiyan after having a 19-year gap since the 1997 Tamil film Iruvar.
Lucifer 2019 Prithviraj Sukumaran ₹30 crore (US$3.5 million)[26] ₹200 crore (US$23 million)[27] The film is the Highest-grossing Malayalam film. It broke many box-office records like crossing ₹50 crore mark in 4 days, ₹100 crore mark in 8 days and ₹150 crores in 21 days and becoming the first Malayalam film to enter 200 crore Club and the first Malayalam film to gross over ₹50 crores in overseas box office.

The film was actor Prithviraj Sukumaran's directorial debut. The film was also Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi's Malayalam debut.[28]

Ittymaani: Made in China 2019 Jibi–Joju The film was the directorial debut of Jibi-Joju.[29]
Drishyam 2 2021 Jeethu Joseph The sequel of Drishyam. The film was directlly released on Amazon Prime Video.[30]
Drushyam 2 2021 Jeethu Joseph Telugu film. Remake of Drishyam 2. The film was directly released on Amazon Prime Video
Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham 2021 Priyadarshan ₹100 crore (US$12 million)[31] The film is the most expensive Malayalam film made with a budget of 100 crore. The film was co-produced by Moonshot Entertainments and Confident Group.[32]
Bro Daddy 2022 Prithviraj Sukumaran The film was directly released on Disney+ Hotstar.[33]
12th Man[34] 2022 Jeethu Joseph The film was directly released on Disney+ Hotstar.[35][36]
Monster[37] 2022 Vysakh The film is Mohanlal's second collaboration with Vysakh(as director) after Pulimurugan.[38]
Alone 2023 Shaji Kailas ₹0.75 crore (US$88,000)[9] [39]
Neru 2023 Jeethu Joseph ₹10 crore (US$1.2 million) ₹80 crore (US$9.4 million) [40][11][41]
Barroz 2024 Mohanlal The film is Mohanlal's directorial debut.[42][43]
L2: Empuraan † 2025 Prithviraj Sukumaran The sequel of Lucifer. The film is co-produced by Lyca Productions.[44]

Accolades

Following are the accolades won by Aashirvad Cinemas. The awards received by the producer alone is included in this list.

Award Year Category Film Result
National Film Awards 2012 Best Film on Other Social Issues Spirit Won
2019 Best Feature Film Marakkar Won
Kerala State Film Awards 2001 Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value Raavanaprabhu Won
2008 Innathe Chintha Vishayam Won
2009 Evidam Swargamanu Won
2013 Drishyam Won
Kerala Film Critics Association Awards 2009 Best Film Evidam Swargamanu Won
2013 Drishyam Won
2016 Oppam Won
Filmfare Awards South 2008 Best Film – Malayalam Innathe Chintha Vishayam Nominated
2009 Evidam Swargamanu Nominated
2013 Drishyam Won
2016 Oppam Nominated
South Indian International Movie Awards 2012 Best Film – Malayalam Spirit Nominated
2013 Drishyam Won
2016 Oppam Nominated
2019 Lucifer Won
Asiavision Awards 2013 Best Popular Movie Drishyam Won
2016 Outstanding Movie of the Year Oppam Won
Vanitha Film Awards 2013 Best Film Drishyam Won
2019 Most Popular Film Lucifer Won
Asianet Film Awards 2000 Best Film Narasimham Won
2012 Most Popular Film Spirit Won
2013 Best Film Drishyam Won
2013 Most Popular Film Drishyam Won
2016 Best Film Oppam Won
Jaihind TV Awards 2007 Best Film Paradesi Won
2013 Drishyam Won
Kairali TV – World Malayali Council Film Award 2009 Best Film Evidam Swargamanu Won

See also

References

  1. ^ Ayyappan, R (1 January 2000). "Movies: Sleaze time, folks!". rediff.com. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "'Rasathanthram' rules Malayalam box office". Whereincity.com. 31 May 2006. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011.
  3. ^ a b c "Onam - The final report card!". Sify.com. 29 September 2004. Archived from the original on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  4. ^ a b c "'Naran' — The clear winner!". Sify.com. 17 September 2005. Archived from the original on 15 September 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  5. ^ "Kerala Box Office (April 2009)". webcitation.org. 10 May 2009. Archived from the original on 29 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  6. ^ a b The New Indian Express (10 May 2009). "Kerala Box Office (April 2009)". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  7. ^ a b News18 (4 January 2012). "2011 was troublesome for Malayalam films". News18 India. Retrieved 30 October 2019.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ Forbes India (1 January 2018). "Mohanlal: Strong and steady". Forbes India. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
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  11. ^ a b "'പ്രേമ'വും വീണു, മുന്നില്‍ 'കുറുപ്പ്'; എക്കാലത്തെയും വിജയങ്ങളില്‍ എട്ടാം സ്ഥാനത്തേക്ക് നേര്". Asianet News Web. 3 January 2024.
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  13. ^ James, Anu (6 December 2014). "Mohanlal-Mammootty Starrer 'Narasimham': 15th Anniversary Celebration in Dubai Gets Grand Response [PHOTOS]". www.ibtimes.co.in. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  14. ^ James, Anu (6 December 2014). "Premam is in the air". International Business Times. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  15. ^ "Kerala State Film Awards 2009 | varnachitram". Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  16. ^ Sidhardhan, Sanjith. "Mohanlal's Ladies and Gentleman makes Rs 1.5 crore profit before release". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  17. ^ Bhaskaran, Gautaman (9 January 2014). "Mohanlal's aam aadmi is a surprise hit in Drishyam". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 10 March 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
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  20. ^ Team, DNA Web (1 March 2016). "Kerala film awards: 'Premam' snubbed says audience". DNA India. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  21. ^ "Top 10 highest grossing Mollywood movies of 2016". OnManorama. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  22. ^ "The continued reign of Mohanlal - Livemint". 1 December 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  23. ^ Forbes India (1 January 2018). "Mohanlal: Strong and steady". Forbes India. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  24. ^ "Star scions". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 31 October 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  25. ^ George, Anubha. "In Malayalam film 'Odiyan', Mohanlal plays a shapeshifting superhero". Scroll.in. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  26. ^ "Empuraan to follow Mohanlal's directorial debut". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  27. ^ Narayanan, Nirmal (1 October 2019). "Why remaking Lucifer with Chiranjeevi in Telugu is a bad idea?". International Business Times, India Edition. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
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  36. ^ "അടച്ചിട്ടൊരു മുറിയിലെ ത്രില്ലർ; ട്വൽത് മാൻ റിവ്യു". ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam). Retrieved 20 May 2022.
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  41. ^ "നൂറു കോടി ക്ലബ്ബിലേക്ക് 'നേര്'; ഇതുവരെ നേടിയത് 80 കോടി". www.manoramaonline.com (in Malayalam). Retrieved 5 March 2024.
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  44. ^ "Lyca Productions Makes An Entry Into Malayalam Cinema With Mohanlal's 'L2: Empuraan'". www.filmcompanion.in. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  1. ^ Gautaman Bhaskaran of Hindustan Times claims the film's budget as ₹35 million,[17] while IANS claims it to be ₹50 million.[18] Sify claims the budget of the film to be ₹45 million.[19]